Parents often ask me if it is worth the time, effort, and expense to travel with young kids.  Absolutely!  Kids bring a sense of adventure and joy to every trip that is simply unmatched.  It is also a guarantee that you will come home with hours of unpacking and mountains of laundry.  Give yourself a break and follow these tips to avoid needing a vacation from your next vacation.
  • Relax.  Don't over-schedule the vacation.  It is tempting to try to visit every site listed in the guidebook -- but don't!  Allow time in the schedule for a few leisurely mornings or afternoons without a strict schedule.   
  • Tidy the house before you go on vacation.  Coming back to a messy house creates stress. 
  • Come home on Saturday (or even Friday).  Give yourself a full day to unpack, do laundry, and run errands.
  • On the day you travel home, have an early dinner and give everyone long warm baths (or showers) to wind down for an early bedtime.
  • Hire a babysitter for the day after you get back so you can focus on getting things back together.
  • Actually unpack.  It is easy to leave bags packed for days (even weeks) after a vacation.  Spend the time to unpack immediately when you return.  Trust me -- you will thank me later.
  • Go to bed early Sunday night.
  • Take Monday morning off from work.  Pack the kids off to school or with the sitter.  Spend part of the morning reading the paper or industry magazine and head to the office a for few hours.  With a little luck, you will have a few hours to catch-up before anyone realizes you are there.
The first few nights back home can be difficult for some kids -- especially if you had cozy sleeping arrangements while traveling.  Try letting them "camp out" in sleeping bags on the floor of your room or in the hallway for the first night to ease them back into their own rooms.  

What suggestions do you have for easing back into normal life after a vacation?